Tarter: New book offers advice for 'Fixing Illinois'

Fixing Illinois? If you think that project sounds daunting, you're not alone.

But "Fixing Illinois: Politics and Policy in the Prairie State" is the name of the book written by Jim Nowlan and J. Thomas Johnson to be published by the University of Illinois Press this spring.

"We wanted to be somewhat comprehensive. We came up with 100 recommendations. We tried to cover the budget, education, economic development, health and human services and infrastructure," said Nowlan last week when we got together at the Jubilee Restaurant in Kickapoo.

Before you roll your eyes, know that there may be few people more qualified to offer the state a "to-do" list than Nowlan.

He's been a legislator, lobbyist, educator and journalist. A previous book, "Illinois Politics: A Citizen's Guide," co-written with Samuel Gove and Richard Winkel Jr., is proof that Nowlan knows the territory and the history when it comes to the Land of Lincoln.

He's a critic of corruption and negativity but Nowlan is, first and foremost, a believer in Illinois.

"When I was a kid growing up in Toulon in the 1950s, the economy was booming. Agriculture — and life — was good. You were proud to be from Illinois," he said.

"We've lost some of that enthusiasm. Illinois residents are our own worst enemies. We're in a funk," said Nowlan.

Having jokes such as Illinois former governors serve two terms — one in office and one in prison — probably doesn't help.

But Nowlan and Johnson, who's president emeritus of the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois, are ready to suggest corrective measures rather than rail over past excesses.

The recommendations in "Fixing" include an overhaul of state pension systems with more reasonable benefits plus raising the retirement age, reducing corporate tax rates to attract business and a new approach to higher education that puts funds in the hands of students rather than institutions.

No one book is going to solve the state's problems, admits Nowlan. "We don't contend to have all the answers but we want to start the discussion," he said.

This spring Nowlan will travel to China where he will deliver lectures on American government at Fudan University in Shanghai.

In addition to the columns he writes for the Stark County News, Nowlan also writes a periodic column for the Oriental Morning Post on "Understanding America."

A recent column he wrote for the Chinese press focused on lobbying efforts in Washington. Regarding modern lobbying efforts, Nowlan noted, "Everybody in the game wins, except maybe the public."

As for fixing Illinois, Nowlan's looking out for the public again. That's good news, especially in a state as conflicted as this one.

Steve Tarter is Journal Star business editor. Tarter's phone number is 686-3260, and his email address is starter@pjstar.com. Follow his blog, Minding Business, on pjstar.com and follow him on Twitter @SteveTarter